By Ben McAleer

A late Cristiano Ronaldo strike ensured Los Blancos would take an away goal to the Bernabeu next month after Mario Bermejo and Christian Bustos had put Celta ahead.

Celta Vigo secured a 2-1 win at the Balaidos Stadium to give it the advantage in the fifth round of the Copa Del Rey over Real Madrid

The visitors looked to make an early impact, but Celta shotstopper Sergio Alvarez was equal to Angel Di Maria’s effort in the first minute. Minutes later, Michael Essien managed to rob Borja Oubina of possession before bringing the ball forward and attempt an audacious effort from distance, only for the Sergio to comfortably claim.

Los Blancos continued to pressure the Celta goal in search for the opener, but Os Celestes were dangerous on the counter and could’ve found themselves in front in the 15th minute. Iago Aspas was threaded through on the left by Michael Krohn-Delhi, who managed to pick out Park Chu-Young at the back post. The on-loan Arsenal man couldn’t quite wrap his foot around the ball and his effort went out of play for a goal kick.

Cristiano Ronaldo then cut inside with 10 minutes of the first half remaining after cutting onto his right foot. The Portugal international let fly from distance, but his effort was straight at Sergio, who easily held.

At the other end, Aspas drove forward on the right and picked out an inch-perfect pass for Park. The South Korean international couldn’t get enough power behind his shot at goal and Pepe was able to block his chance as Celta pressed for the opener at the end of the first half.

Celta could’ve taken the lead with the last attack of the half. Pepe unnecessarily gave away a corner for Real, which was swung in by Krohn-Delhi. The Dane picked out Park, but his header flashed inches wide of the far post and out for a goal kick.

The hosts began the brighter of the two sides after the interval and were rewarded 10 minutes after the restart. Krohn-Delhi did well on the left of the 18-yard box before crossing. Park was in an offside position and left the ball to run to Mario Bermejo and with the Real defence at a standstill, the Celta striker calmly slotted past Antonio Adan to open the scoring.

Real threw Kaka into the fold as it looked to net an away goal, but it was Luka Modric who had the best opportunity for the visitors following the restart. Xabi Alonso lofted a ball towards Ronaldo, only to see Lago head away. His clearances was poor and it fell to the Croatian, whose effort was matched by Sergio in the Celta net.

The Spaniard was called upon again just moments later, but the Os Celestes No. 1 was on hand to deny Ronaldo at the near post as Augutso Fernandez looked to double Celta's advantage at the other end, only for Adan to block the Argentine's effort.

Nevertheless, it was the hosts who doubled their advantage with a little over 15 minutes remaining. Christian Bustos was introduced for Aspas and made an immediate impact, driving forward through the midfield before unleashing an unstoppable effort past Adan from 25 yards out.

Real looked to half the deficit with 10 minutes to go through Ronaldo, but the mercurial 27-year-old was denied twice in the space of two minutes by Sergio.

However, the Portugal international wasn’t to be denied in the final five minutes. Alonso fed the ball over the top to Ronaldo, who guided his half volley past Sergio to give Real an important away goal before the second-leg next month.

Modric looked to level the encounter late on, but his tepid effort was turned behind by Sergio as Celta held on for the 2-1 win.